Jordan7

Welcome, Ankush. I live alone, and for the first three months I only told one person that I was quitting (a friend/co-worker who I was around all day and who would have noticed right away). This was my choice because I was worried that if friends and family were cheering me on my addicted mind would decide I was doing it for them rather than for me, and use that as an excuse to "cheat" or give in, or at the very least, resent them. I purposely avoided a lot of socializing during this time, and also abstained from drinking -- all of my actions were geared to giving myself the greatest chance of success because smoking was so ingrained in every part of my life that quitting was a 24 hr a day job for a while. Plus, I was pretty grouchy for a while so keeping to myself wasn't a bad idea. The only one I really wanted to hang out with early on was my dog, so he got a lot of extra walks out of the deal. Many people take a very different tack and make a point of not changing any part of their routines or social lives, but clearly it is possible to be successful without outside support. That said, starting on the 11th day of my quit I joined a quit smoking forum which was an invaluable source education, camaraderie, distraction, and support -- so now that you've found this site, you have the same available to you whenever you choose. Jump in.

What a nightmare you lived through, Dizz. I'm so glad you're safe and decided to come back. Good for you for jumping right back into quitting, and I believe you're going to make it stick this time.

Just want to add my best wishes for a quick, positive turnaround. Hopefully this is a temporary setback and you'll get some relief and be back on track very soon. Your strength and amazing attitude will get you through this and we will be cheering you on every step of the way.

I "practiced" not smoking in certain places (car, etc.) since, like you, I smoked in my house and almost everywhere else. So let's go with Jillar's March 18th deadline and you can practice not smoking in certain situations up until then and also read up on the nature of the addiction itself. So now you have deadlines set by others. Seriously, just go with it. Quitting is mind over matter, and overthinking (as opposed to educating yourself) will make it harder. You can do this.

Huge congratulations, Ican, on making it through your first month in style!!! Time to celebrate.

Congratulations on the big 3!!!

You're a talented bird, jo. Lucky and lovely kid you have.

Well done, Wantsit! Congratulations on 4 months down.

Wow, Abby. Now you know that there is nothing you can't do because you've had so much thrown at you at once and are managing to get through it gracefully, no matter how painful it may be at times. Thank you for your post which may very well help put things in perspective for someone who is struggling with starting or maintaining a quit; and thank you for being there for your friend when she needs you the most. I wish you the very best with getting your health issues under control, and have no doubt that cigarettes no longer stand a chance against you.

Congratulation to the Jimmys!

Same. Particularly this: "I was so delusional while smoking, I convinced myself that cigarettes were such an integral part of an enjoyable life that the risks involved with smoking were worth it."

I absolutely love this, Cbdave. Good job training your humans, Summer, and trust me, your hair looks marvelous! Lucky dog to be so well-loved (as they all deserve to be); and lucky humans to have the capacity to understand that these sweet pups just get more fabulous with age.

Huge congratulations on your almost 2 week quit, Ican. You've done it and there's no stopping you now! My smoking history is similar to yours and I'm also in Colorado, so I know all about the extra challenges for smoker's lungs at higher altitudes, and I'm here on the sidelines rooting extra hard for you.

Congratulations on half a year, MLMR!

Big congratulations, Mike, and I hope all is well with you. Look at us -- we made to the big 4!

Thank you, jo, for the shout out, and to all for the congratulations! I'm late, but I did put on my best dress for the occasion. It's hard to believe it's been 4 years already -- that's about 16 in penguin years. To any newly quit folks who are around, hang in there and believe in yourself. The time start really does start speeding up eventually as the smoking thoughts decrease in number and intensity, and before you know it you'll be dusting off your best tutu for an anniversary celebration every year.

Happy Valentine's Day to all you lovely Trainies!

Can't tell you how many times I decided at work that I would definitely stop at the gas station on the way home, then as soon as I hit the road started to turn in to the nearest station, but never completed the turn. I know you're not going -- it's the middle of the night! Hide under the covers until it passes, and know that you are already "there" and would not have posted if you weren't the boss of this nasty crave. Great job MLMR, and we'll mix up a mojo cocktail for you.

Is this the asshole check-in page? If so, present!

Agree overall, but to offer a little hope and comaradarie to others who may not be flying out of the gate full of grit, glee, and determination -- I was/am the world's crappiest quitter -- I was always romancing, always looking back, often whining my way through the day during the first year, and would have voted for myself as the least likely to succeed. I did not want to quit. I smoked everywhere, openly, and never reached the point where I didn't enjoy the act of smoking (although I did get to where I hated almost everything else about it). I never would have quit if not for health concerns, but what could be more important than that? Over 3 1/2 years later I am still smoke free , so I must known deep down under all my often silent protests, and despite a less than stellar attitude, that having another cigarette was never really an option worth taking for me. So to any newbies who might also be gracelessly struggling through the early days, the only common denominator for successfully quitting smoking, is not to smoke. And it will be very much worth it, whatever your reasons for quitting may be.

I know, but that's no excuse. Work, shmork ...they're getting impatient on the dance floor.

Time to get this party started. Where's the guest of honor?

I'm all dressed up and ready to celebrate. Huge congratulations to you, Jo, on your spectacular first quit year!!!

Yay for you, BKP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have always been an all-star quitter and here you are 3 years in. Congratulations and enjoy!

I'm on the fence doing the yo yo thing like jo, but either ban nicotine or don't. Picking and choosing the flavors allowed, as well as mostly taking a let's wait and see if it causes people to grow horns and extra toes while their lungs deflate attitude towards e-cigs and vaping, isn't likely to accomplish much.